Frank Mascara: “I want to urge other Members to not get cold feet now. Our task today is very simple: It is to prove to the American…”

“I want to urge other Members to not get cold feet now. Our task today is very simple: It is to prove to the American people that we care more about the public interest than we do about the special interests; it is to provide that Congress is not for sale. Mr. Speaker, we are not royalty and, therefore, we do not need gifts. We do not need free trips or free meals or special privileges. We are stewards of the public trust. Our constituents elected us to work hard, to make tough decisions, and to stand up for what is right. As Members of Congress, we represent the public interest, not private profits. We are here to make change, not to protect the old order. Let us begin by having a open debate about the real needs of our constituents. No more closed rules, no more status quo.”